Tuesday, March 22, 2016

It is a glorious sunny day here in West Virginia. We got lucky and the snowstorm on the east coast skipped my little town. Thank goodness it did because I am so ready for winter to be over. At least the calendar says it's spring.

We are having some health issues in my family. We just found out my father's grandmother has lung cancer. At the moment we have cancer in our family on both sides. My mom's grandfather has been fighting, I am fighting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and now my dad's mother is fighting.

My grandmother is not in the best of health and they offered radiation but we don't think she is going to take treatment. They can up her pain medication to make her more comfortable but that is about all her treatment plan includes. We are about 2.5 hours away from the David Lee Cancer Center here in WV, and radiation is everyday and it's such a hard drive that we just don't know if driving back and forth is possible and she does not want to.

It's sad. I have this ache in my heart. My grandparent's are so special to me and to have something like this go on is very hard and it's especially hard on my mom and dad. It's hard to take treatment, to focus on my health and have all this other sickness go on.

My treatment is on hold for a month but I go back soon. I have to have a CAT scan because they think they saw something on my last ultrasound. It makes me nervous, but I chose to focus on the good days. I am thankful I have the support of my family no matter what happens. Without them I wouldn't be as healthy as I am.

LET'S GET TO THE CROCHET!

As you know from my last post I have been working on a newborn bunny outfit for a friend. Well, once I got the bunny all completed and showed it to her, she told me it was supposed to be blue! I don't know how I missed something as big as a change in color but I did. In all honesty, it was no big deal to make new ears and a tail. I was finished again in under an hour. I think it turned out very cute even after the color change.

What do you think?

I think it's adorable and it's just in time for Easter. I hope she is as happy with it as I am. I have never made a baby ANYTHING so I was pleased with the easy pattern.

I love the site REPEAT CRAFTER ME. This is where the bunny pattern came from. She has a puppy pattern just the same as the bunny that I have to make as well. I am just waiting on the right color of brown yarn. I use the site often. The free patterns are very nice and useable. I find myself going there when I am looking for something easy to do. When you look at this pattern she also posts the link to make the diaper cover. That pattern was simple as well, all I needed to do was find a button.

Not long ago my friend sent me some Wool-Ease Chunky Yarn.

I have been trying to decide what to do with it. I finally decided to make a rug. A long rectangle rug for my bathroom.

I didn't have a pattern. I just went with my own.

2 dc rows, next row 2 dc in first 2 st, sk 1 st, dc in the next until end. I also went around the whole rug with a sc in the black chunky yarn.

This pattern turned out really nice. It's the first pattern I basically done from scratch.

Here is my rug...

I love the way it looks and it is so soft.

Here are a few pictures of it close up and done.

This last picture is a close up of the stitch rows.

I only had 3 skeins of the Wool-Ease so I decided to use my scrap stash yarn in chunky black to make a few odd rows to make the blanket longer. It worked out nicely.

I finally got to use my new Susan Bates hooks. I used an N hook to make this blanket. The hook was so comfy in my hand. They have bamboo handles. I want to complete my set of these great hooks.

I have one granny square done and it turned out really pretty. I used a 3.5 hook for my Elann Tarantella yarn in Bermuda Sunrise.

Those are a few pics of the yarn and my little progress about a week ago.

This is the granny square in it's completion. I am making the pattern in a medium. I just realized how huge the granny square looks in this pattern. Actually it's only about 23 rows.

Now I have to make one more granny square for the front of the top, and then I can seam it up and make the neck opening. I love how the bottom has slits on the sides. It won't hug my hips. It's a simple, comfy top. This yarn is wool and it is going to need blocked. I hope that when I wet it it will make the yarn softer. I just use vinegar, shampoo, and regular conditioner when I block an item. I have never used a commercial softener before. I just looked on the internet and found instructions from a crochet site on how to make my scratchy yarn soft.

I used this site to read up on scratchy yarn and how to fix it....HERE

It's from Mommy On A Shoestring.

This is an easy pattern, easy to fit your body and the pattern instructions are very easy to read and she makes the math for the fitting very simple. I am terrible in math and had no problem at all. Now if I could only figure out the correct way to make a swatch. *sigh*

I can not wait until it's finished. This will be my 2nd crochet wearable. I hope it turns out as lovely as I think it will be. No problems so far.

Now, I need to get out my yarn and hook and start on the front granny square.

That is all I have on my hook at the moment.

I have some beautiful Angora yarn in a soft orange that I would love to use but I only have 3 small balls and I can't find a thing to do with it. The yarn is calling but I can't settle on a pattern.

I have had a little crochet block lately.

I am having a hard time finding ANYTHING to do crochet.

Nothing is speaking to me.

I HATE that.

I do have an afghan to put together but it's all whip stitching and I just can't get into it. The unfinished and not put together afghan was a recycle from a friend who didn't want to take the time to put it together. She found a bag of random pieces in a bag and thought I may want it. We don't know who it belonged to or who took all the time to make it and not put it together, although we think the whole afghan is there. I am still not sure that I have enough white hexies but I am hoping I do. It looks like it is all there when I lay it out. I am slowly making progress on it but it's slow going.

Here is a picture of the afghan that the nice lady found for me. It's close enough. I was not sure how the edges were supposed to be. It is not straight on the edges. It's somewhat jagged because of the shape of the flowers. It is really going to be pretty when I finally get it done.

It is lovely. The bottom picture is the actual pieces I have to put together. The afghan is rather large. I have about 20+ flowers and many, many hexies. It will fit on my queen bed when its finished. I had a hard time finding the pattern to put it together. I made a post and a nice lady found it for me. It's actually a quilt pattern. It's called grandma's garden or spring garden. I may work on it today since it has gotten my attention again. I feel guilty that it's so nice and it's just sitting there in the bag it's been in for who knows how long. I need to finish it to find it's full potential.

I want to wish all my readers a HAPPY EASTER!

It's my favorite holiday. We all get together and have a nice dinner. I get a white chocolate bunny every year, we make eggs. It's just a nice time for the beginning of spring. I look forward to it all year and it will be here before I know it.

With the sickness in my family this Easter is especially sentimental to me.

So, spend some time with your loved ones. Eat a good dinner, hide some eggs, just don't forget where you hid them!

Isn't this yarn beautiful? It is going to need blocking, and it's a little scratchy but it's going to turn out great, I think! The pattern is simple. Here is the site I used for it. There isn't really a pattern, but she describes it well enough that I should be able to make my own and put it together pretty well.

This is the double ear picture. The ears are put together in pairs so they will be strong enough to stand up. I didn't put a pipe cleaner in them, as they stand up by themselves.

This is the super easy diaper cover. This picture makes me smile. It looks like the woman's reproductive system. This is the easiest pattern ever. Easy to follow, and no special stitches. It just needs a button at the top for the closure and a little tail on the back in pom-pom style in pink.

Once it's folded this is what it looks like. Yes, my ends need wove in but I am not done with it yet.

This is almost a finished product. It needs a face on the hat, the ears attached, a button and a tail. Nothing that will take hours. I just need to sit down and finish it.

Did you see the video for the doggie face? That one is next on my list. My friend asked me to make them for her daughter. I am trying to finish the bunny in time for Easter. I will get this done.

This pattern was super easy. I have never made anything for a baby, this was the first but I am totally amazed at how easy it was and how little time it took. I don't have any babies around, and my son is still a little young to made me a grandma. He is 20 and I am 42. None of us are old enough!

I followed the pattern for a newborn but the website has all different sizes so you can make your own.

That's what has been on my hook lately.

Since the chemo has taken a back seat for a month, I have had a little time to finish all my projects. The granny shirt is going to take all my time for a bit until I get the right color of brown for the doggie pattern. I am so grateful to Jeanie for asking me to make them for her. It gives me great pleasure for people to ask for my work and pay for it. Amazing. I never thought I would learn to crochet, much less get paid for something I love to do.

The heating pad cover was a must. I have to have a heating pad for the chemo. Sometimes I get so cold I can't quit shaking and a heating pad is the perfect solution. I got a converter for the vehicle that plugs into the lighter so I can plug the heating pad into the socket and use it as I go back and forth to treatment. It works great!

I hope to be able to update more later as I get further along in my crochet.

Once the face gets on my bunny I will show you the whole thing.

I just wanted to stay on track with you and show you all my WIP's that are slowly getting finished.

I hope everyone reading has a great day. Here in WV we have had a warm spell but the end of the week is calling for a spit of snow. This is weather for crazy town, but spring is just around the corner.

This was the best bag I have ever made. I am super proud of it. Although her's is made in cotton, and mine is acrylic there is hardly no difference that I can tell. I made mine in the trusty Red Heart Super Saver in Artist.

This pattern went super fast, and it's easy to understand.

I can't wait to carry this bag.

Have a look!

Ohhh, isn't it lovely....

It's in shades of gray and a hint of gray/purple.

There is a nice drawstring that just goes in and out of the holes I made.

It adjusts well, closes up nice, and I did not line it although it could have but I don't think it matters. Nothing I have but an ink pen would come out of them and I am sure not going to let a stray ink pen destroy all my work this past week!

This bag has a nice handle too. Its wide enough that it does not dig into your shoulder and its sturdy enough to hold the weight of the bag.

It turned out so well.

Why don't you try and make this pattern. You will be super surprised, and it would make a great gift.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

I recently put a call out to all my friends and followers, and they returned the love with balls of lovely yarn.

Nothing better than getting yarn in the mail as a surprise and I still have a few coming.

I got this from my friend Roni, she came to see me while I was in the hospital when I first got diagnosed. We went to highschool together. Isnt it great when a friendship lasts 20+ years?

I ADORE Roni and her big heart.

These little balls of yarn are so yummy. I have a t-shirt I want to make and these little skeins will make the color changes easy and I won't have to figure out what looks best together. I think there are 24 little skeins of yarn. They don't have a weight but they are acrylic and I would say about 25-30g balls. This selection was from MIRA HANDCRAFTS.

The next little package from Roni was the little balls of sparkly yarn from BOMBONS.

I love the little sparkles. I have no clue what to do with these but I can picture them as an edging or a sparkly stripe here and there to brighten up a pattern.

So many pretty colors, I especially love the purple, navy and the bronzy one at the very top left.

Such a nice gift!

Since it's Valentine's Day this weekend I will show you the garland I whipped up in Sugar and Cream cotton. Its simple hearts and I joined together as I went.

Its fairly long, there are about 15-20 hearts.

I just strung them on my little tree for pictures sake. I am going to hang them on my poster bed as I szush up my bedroom for our Valentine's Day.

It's really getting there and I can tell what it's going to look like now and I love it so far. I am about 40 rows into it, more than halfway if you don't count the strap. I made mine from acrylic, and her's is made from cotton but it's still turning out great. I have a feeling this is going to be one of my favorite bags I have made, and I have made a lot of bag. I think they are my favorite to work on. (my previous posts discuss this bag)

I have been slowly whip stitching my way thru all the flowers that go on my "Grandma's Garden" donated afghan. It's not hard. Just time consuming. It's going to be heavy and warm. Plus, the colors are bright like spring. I will love it when its done. I just cant get into it because its someone elses work. I think thats it, Im still not sure.

This is how it's progressing, and the last picture is a finished garden that a nice person sent me to help when I was looking for the crocheted version of the quilt.

I would have chose a different color of edging, and I still might add one. I just don't know if I have the Umph to do it.

Just one more thing to show you. I think it's awesome, and although I don't knit very well or often (I am totally a beginner) I would hang this in my house in a second. I LOOOOOVE it!

I just think it's original and everyone should have one. I have no clue where it came from. I came across it in a flickr photo, or a search.

I just think its too neat for words. I may try to find the seller, I love it that much. Notice how many time I said "love", it must be because Valentine's Day is tomorrow!

I have a few romantic plans for tomorrow.

It's best not to discuss that here ;-)

I also had something great come in the mail.

A WIG! It's cold here in WV and there are several websites that offer free wigs and I found 2 that are very legit.

This is the wig that came.

It's really cute, blunt and layered and pretty close to my natural hair color as far as I know. It's been 20+ years since I have seen my natural color. The bangs need a little trim but all in all it looks great on and now I have a choice between rocking the bald look and looking professional if I have too.

Isn't the back gorgeous?

This wig free for cancer patients came from alex@ebeauty.com They will take your diagnosis papers in an attachment in an email. That's all they ask for. It was super easy.

The website has some problems but the email works fine. It only took 3-4 days to get it.

Another legit free wig site for cancer patients is called lollyslocks.org. They have a phone interview with you, it's that easy!